Abstract: Embodiments presented herein disclose techniques for providing an autonomous vehicle caravanning system (AVCS) allowing for continuous wireless charging between vehicles thereof. The AVCS includes a pilot generator vehicle and one or more freight vehicles interconnected between one another without a mechanical connect. Further, the AVCS may also include one or more generator vehicles interspersed in various positions of the AVCS to provide wireless charging to vehicles therein. Passenger vehicles may be added to the caravan to receive wireless charging from the generator vehicles of the AVCS.

Abstract: An image classification system configured to classify a target and method thereof is provided, wherein the system includes at least one light source configured to emit light with at least one line pattern towards the target, wherein at least a portion of the emitted light and line pattern is reflected by the target. The system further includes an imager configured to receive at least a portion of the reflected light and line pattern, such that an obtained 2-D line pattern is produced that is representative of at least a portion of the emitted light and line pattern reflected by the target, and a controller configured to compare the 2-D line pattern to at least one previously obtained 2-D line pattern stored in a database, such that the controller classifies the 2-D line pattern as a function of the comparison.

Abstract: An image classification system configured to classify a target and method thereof is provided, wherein the system includes at least one light source configured to emit light with at least one line pattern towards the target, wherein at least a portion of the emitted light and line pattern is reflected by the target. The system further includes an imager configured to receive at least a portion of the reflected light and line pattern, such that an obtained 2-D line pattern is produced that is representative of at least a portion of the emitted light and line pattern reflected by the target, and a controller configured to compare the 2-D line pattern to at least one previously obtained 2-D line pattern stored in a database, such that the controller classifies the 2-D line pattern as a function of the comparison.

Abstract: Medium-range and global network information and control for a vehicle is achieved with a portable wireless key fob, a user-provided nomadic device, and a vehicle-installed telematics unit including a medium-range RF transceiver and a wireless network transceiver. The fob includes a medium-range RF transceiver for bi-directional communication with the telematics unit, and a short-range wireless transceiver for bi-directional communication with the nomadic device. The fob communicates with the telematics unit in a conventional manner, and also relays information between the telematics unit and the nomadic device. If a communication initiated via the fob cannot be completed because the fob is out of range, the communication is sent to the nomadic device for network transmission to the telematics unit. If a communication initiated via the nomadic device cannot be completed due to inadequate signal reception, the communication is sent to the fob for RF transmission to the telematics unit.

Abstract: A vehicle rear view apparatus and method has one or more rear looking sensors which provide rear view information about the environment to the rear of the vehicle and transmit such information via a connection to a heads up display mounted within the vehicle. The heads up display projects an image representative of the rear view sensor output information onto the vehicle windshield in the forward line of sight of the vehicle driver. The connection between the rear looking sensor and the heads up display may be a hardwired connection or a wireless connection. The rear looking sensors include one or more of a video camera, an object detector, a distance to object detector, an ultrasonic object detector, a device for projecting the path of the vehicle when moving in reverse, and a speed base time to collision with an object behind the vehicle.

Abstract: Medium-range and global network information and control for a vehicle is achieved with a portable wireless key fob, a user-provided nomadic device, and a vehicle-installed telematics unit including a medium-range RF transceiver and a wireless network transceiver. The fob includes a medium-range RF transceiver for bi-directional communication with the telematics unit, and a short-range wireless transceiver for bi-directional communication with the nomadic device. The fob communicates with the telematics unit in a conventional manner, and also relays information between the telematics unit and the nomadic device. If a communication initiated via the fob cannot be completed because the fob is out of range, the communication is sent to the nomadic device for network transmission to the telematics unit. If a communication initiated via the nomadic device cannot be completed due to inadequate signal reception, the communication is sent to the fob for RF transmission to the telematics unit.

Abstract: The activation of a rear view video display in a vehicle is interrupted under specified operating conditions to discourage inappropriate driver reliance on the video display. The video display is automatically activated when the reverse transmission range of the vehicle is selected, but is deactivated if the vehicle speed in the reverse range exceeds a calibrated threshold such as 2-3 MPH. When the vehicle speed falls back below the threshold, the video display is automatically re-activated, thereby encouraging the driver to use the video display only for the purposes for which it was designed, and to use other ways of obtaining a more comprehensive rearward view when backing at speeds in excess of the threshold.

Abstract: An electret sheet is clamped on an apertured support around the aperture so that a sheet portion stretches all across the aperture. A tension-producing ring is advanced against the sheet portion normal to its stretch direction to produce progressively increasing tension therein. Concurrently, a loudspeaker on one side of the sheet emits constant-amplitude sound waves of fixed frequency and directed against the sheet portion to cause it to vibrate at that frequency. When, because of the increasing tension in the sheet portion, it's vibration amplitude rises to a predetermined value at or near resonance, the advance of the mentioned ring is ended, and the sheet portion is adhered to another ring which retains in that portion the tension then existing in it. Such tensioned sheet and adhering ring are then used to make electret diaphragms for electret microphones.